MITIGATION OF LEAD STRESS IN TRITICUM AESTIVUM L. SEEDLINGS BY TREATING WITH SALICYLIC ACID

Heavy metal pollution is a serious issue for the large parts of world especially with respect to agriculture. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different concentrations of salicylic acid (0, 0.1 and 0.5 mM) on biochemical attributes in three wheat varieties (Millat-2011, Aas-2011 and FSD-2008) under lead stress (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 mM). The experiment was designed in completely randomized design (CRD) with five replicates. Increasing lead (Pb) concentration from 0 to 1.5 mM caused several disruptions in wheat varieties, reflected by reduction in chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein and soluble sugar contents but amount of proline increased with rise in Pb levels. However, the applications of salicylic acid (SA) significantly lowered the effect of Pb and enhanced the amount of biochemical attributes of T. aestivum L. cultivars. Maximum improvement was perceived at 0.5 mM SA concentration. In conclusion, the application of SA is proved to be suitable to minimize the effect of Pb in wheat.